Cut flower package



Feb. 28, 1956 c. TROMBETTA CUT FLOWER PACKAGE Filed Jan. 5, 1955 INVENTOR. 0192455 Wee/"Berra H T TOPNE Y U dstates a o 2.15am cur FLOWER rAcKAGE Charles rmmbmmabm, Mass. Application must 5,'195s,"seris1 i-1o. 480,001 1 claim. c|.;m .45.n

This invention is a cut flower package and more particularly a holder in which a plurality of .cut flowers and their stems may be packaged in such manner that the blooms and the greater portions ;of"the :stems are housed within a container which thoroughly protects the blooms against crushing and atthe 'same time permits them to beobserved by the prospective customer without opening the package orremoving the flowers therefrom.

While the invention is adapted for general -use in the cut .flower trade, it is primarily intended to be employed in connection with the retail. sale of such flowers in chain stores and thelike where a neat, convenient and compact package is requiredwell" adapted to display the contents. It is well recognized that in chain stores customers are apt to pick up articles which are on display and if this were permitted with flowers, the stems would be broken and the blooms damaged. With the package of the present invention, the flowers are housed within a container which must be handled as a unit, so that the flowers cannot be individually picked up and handled. Moreover, with this package, no additional wrapping is required of the storekeeper.

Aside from the features to which I have referred, a further feature is that the flowers are housed within a closed space which is preferably provided with ventilation openings to maintain a humid condition within the container, which helps to keep the flowers fresh.

Other important advantages of this invention are the relative simplicity of the package, its economy in manufacture, ease of packaging the flowers therein, and its novel construction which protects the blooms against crushing.

Features of the invention, other than those adverted to, will be apparent from the hereinafter detailed description and appended claim, when read .in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

The accompanying drawing illustrates one practical embodiment of the invention, but the construction therein shown is to be understood as illustrative, only, and not as defining the limits of the invention.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a cut flower holder embodying the present invention with flowers packaged therein.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. This figure is, in effect, a front view with the front cover removed.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 shows the container as it is made in flat condition and prior to folding into the form shown in the other figures. This view shows the inside surfaces of the container.

The container shown in the drawings comprises a front wall 1, and a back wall 2 joined together by top or end wall 3 with score lines 4 and 5 between them. Window openings 6 are cut from the upper portion of the front wall 1 and extend into and through the top or end wall 3 and these window openings are closed by a transparent sheet 7 of cellophane, glassene or some other appro- 2,736,427 tent d Feb. 2a,

priate transparent material which isadhesively secured to the inner face of the blank from which the container is formed as shown in Fig. 4. Both the front and back walls 1 and 2 are tapered in a direction away from the end wall 3 and along each lateral edge of the front wall are formed side walls8 which are also tapered as shown.

Along the longitudinally free edges of the side walls 8 are flaps 9 and the larger end of-each side wall is also provided with a flap 10. Fold lines 11 and 12 areprovided between the flap ,9 and each side wall 8 and between each side wall and the front wall respectively and fold lines 13 are provided between the side walls 8 and the end flaps 10. Ventilation openings 14 are preferably provided in the side and back walls to preclude fogging at the window openings so that blooms'contained in the package may be more readily seen. If desired, the flaps 10 may be formed atthe lateral edges of the end wall 3 instead of at the ends of the side walls 8,, without departing from this,"invention. The container of this invention is preferably stamped from fairly heavy cardboard, so that it will have sufficient body to permit it. to be readily handled while maintaining its form and without crushing the flowers contained therein. Any kind or number of flowers may be packaged in the container of this invention, but, for the purpose of illustration, I have shown six .carnations indicated generally by the reference character F.

In placing flowers within the package, the blank is laid flat, as shown in Fig. 4, and the flowers are laid upon the back wall 2 in any appropriate grouping, such, for example, as shown in Fig. 2. This grouping is appropriate when six flowers are to be packaged. If a greater number of flowers are to be included a different arrangement will be desirable and the packages of this invention are made of different sizes to accommodate different numbers of flowers which may be grouped according to the taste of the florist.

After the flowers have been laid flat upon the back wall 2 as stated, the remaining parts of the blank are folded upwardly on the fold line 5 until the top wall 3 is substantially perpendicular to the back wall 2. The front wall 1 is then folded forwardly on the fold line 4 until it is in opposed facial relation to the back wall 2. The side walls 8 are simultaneously folded into the space between the front wall 1 and back wall 2 and the flaps 9 and 10 are contemporaneously folded in, so that the flaps 9 occupy a position between the front and back walls while the flaps 10 are folded inwardly beneath the top wall 3, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3. By so doing, the flowers and the greater portions of their stems are enclosed within the package which may be thereupon secured and retained in folded condition by inserting wire staples 15 through the lower portions of the front and back walls and through the flaps 9, as shown in Fig. 1. These wire staples serve to draw the lower portions of the front and back walls closely together whereby they are caused to grip the flower stems between them and firmly hold the flowers in proper position within the container.

The package is preferably locked in closed position by the wire staples 15, as stated, but, if desired, other means of maintaining the package in closed condition may be employed. For example, I may apply adhesive to the flaps 9 and 10, so that when folded in against the back wall 2 and the top wall 3, respectively, they will adhere thereto and thus make the use of staples unnecessary. In fact any appropriate means may be employed to secure the container in closed condition, without departing from this invention.

The tapers of the front, rear and side walls of the package provide adequate space for the blooms at the top of the container, while permitting close fitting gripping of the stems at the bottom of the container. The inturned flaps 9 at the sides of the container reinforce the structure and give it body while the side walls and their inturned flaps 10 impart sufiicient strength in the direction of the depth of the container to preclude crushing of the blooms therein. Two window openings are shown for the purpose of illustration, although a greater or lesser number may be employed without departing from this invention.

When the flowers are packed, they appear as in Fig. 1, this being the appearance of the package as it enters into commerce. It remains in this condition through retail sales and until the ultimate purchaser reaches home with the package. There, removal of the wire staple 15 permits the package to be unfolded and the flowers removed in fresh, natural condition. While on display the package presents a neat and pleasing appearance. The blooms can be readily observed through the transparent window openings and the moisture extruded by such blooms will maintain the interior "of the container in moist condition to keep the flowers fresh. I

The foregoing detailed description sets forth the invention in its preferred practical form, but the invention is to be understood as fully commensurate with the appended claim.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A cut flower package comprising: a substantially rectangular end wall, front and back walls integral with the opposite transverse edges of the end wall and tapered in a direction away from said end wall and one of which has tapered side walls integral with its lateral edges, sai-d tapered side Walls being provided along their longitudinal free edges with flaps adapted to be folded into the interior of the container, there being flaps at the larger end of the container adapted to be folded into the interior of the container, means securing the lateral margins of the front and back walls in contacting relation at locations distant from the end wall and near the narrower ends of said front and 'back walls to leave a slot at the narrower end of the container, an array'of flowers arranged within the container with the blooms adjacent the end wall and the stems projecting through and gripped by said slot, the sides and larger end of the container being closed by said side and end walls, said front wall having a window opening through which said flowers are exposed to view, and at least one of the walls having ventilation openings.

References Cited thefile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,164,868 Redman Dec. 21, 1915 1,252,051 Stone' Jan. 1, 1918 2,132,632 Kondolf Oct. 11, 1938 2,151,486 Ramel et al. Mar. 21, 1939 2,162,089 Kagen ..n- June 13, 1939 2,247,191 Endres June 24, 1941 2,287,648 Sunderhauf'et al June 23, 1942 2,593,895 Kohl Apr. 22, 1952 

